A WELL-BRED pedigree British Blue bull called Littlebank Hercules proved the heavyweight performer in the sale ring, selling for a high of 3,900gns at Skipton Auction Mart’s annual autumn pedigree event for beef breeding cattle.

The two-year-old rising star, runner-up in the 2012-born show class, was exhibited by North Craven breeders, husband and wife Richard and Wendy Maudsely, who run the Littlebank pedigree herd in Rathmell.

Hercules found a new home locally with dairy farmer Colin Whitelock, of Low Green Farm, Gargrave.

He will put his new acquisition to work on his dairy cows in the hope of producing some top-notch calves, many of which will find their way back to the mart’s rearing calf shows and sales.

Another North Craven breeder, Sheila Mason, who runs the Keasden Head British Blue herd in Clapham, produced the show champion, the November, 2012-born Keasden Head Herbi, which sold for 2,500gns to Malhamdale’s Jeff Burrow.

The third prize 2013-born bull, a Limousin, Abbeyvilla Idealpete, from S Deacon, of Bamber Bridge, Preston, sold for 1,750gns to S Postlethwaite, of New Hutton, Kendal.

The red rosette-winning female came from the Prietec Limousin herd of Terry and Elaine Priestley, of Lane House Farm, Mewith, Bentham. The 18-month-old Prietec Indigo made 1,000gns when joining AR and J Alsop & Sons, of Dacre,

Other breeds were harder to place. However, an Aberdeen Angus bull, Cragg Mr Esscort, from Julie Swires, of Cragg House Farm, Wilsill - a bull in the top 15 per cent for calving index - also joined the Alsops at 1,420gns.

Reserve champion was the first prize 2013-born bull, 19-month-old Lunevalley Iceman, from show debutants, husband and wife, Tom and Tina Altham, who run the Lune Valley Limousin pedigree herd at Sellet Mill, Whittington, near Kirkby Lonsdale.

The Althams were also responsible for the second in class, the 18-month-old Elmslies Inferno. However, both returned home, as did the third prize 2012-born bull, a British Blue from Tim and Lisa Metcalfe, of Clayton, Bradford. Show judge was Bordley’s John Stephenson

Beth Maudsley with the Littlebank herd’s 3,900gns top price British Blue bul, joined by buyer Colin Whitelock.